El Paso, TX — November 1, 2025
Downtown El Paso transformed into a celebration of wine, food, and community impact as the Rotary Club of El Paso hosted its 12th Annual El Paso Winefest on Día de los Muertos.
The event drew record attendance and stronger sponsorship support than previous years, raising funds that directly support local Rotary initiatives—most notably the club's Christmas Children's Party, a tradition serving 4,500 Head Start children that has run for over a century.
More Than a Tasting Event
El Paso Winefest isn't just about wine appreciation—it's infrastructure funding for year-round community programs. The proceeds enable the Rotary Club of El Paso to sustain projects that serve thousands of children and families throughout the year.
The Christmas Children's Party alone has operated for more than 100 years, making it one of the longest-running continuous service projects in District 5520. Each year, 4,500 Head Start children—representing families experiencing economic hardship—receive gifts, holiday experiences, and the message that their community cares about them.
Sustaining a program of this scale requires significant funding. Winefest provides that revenue stream through an event that brings together wine enthusiasts, local businesses, and community members who want to support children's programs.
Creative Problem-Solving
This year's event faced last-minute permitting challenges from the city. Rather than canceling or scaling back, the organizing team deployed what attendee feedback called "fast, creative thinking" to meet city requirements while preserving the event experience.
That kind of adaptive problem-solving is characteristic of volunteer-run events—teams that can pivot quickly because they're mission-driven rather than bureaucratically constrained.
A Regional Opportunity
While the Rotary Club of El Paso hosts Winefest, organizers are actively inviting participation from Rotary clubs throughout District 5520. "We need more support from Rotary clubs outside of El Paso," said Andy Whatley, club publicity chair. "This is a great weekend event and good reason to come to El Paso for the weekend."
The timing—held on Día de los Muertos—creates natural cultural resonance for a border city event. This year's promotional materials featured Día de los Muertos-themed graphics, connecting the celebration of community heritage with community service.
Building on Success
Attendee feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many saying "this event was the best yet." The organizing team is already planning for 2026, focusing on strategies to increase net profitability and expand the event's reach beyond El Paso.
For a club maintaining a 100+ year children's program, that kind of forward planning ensures sustainability for another century of service.
A Century of Showing Up
Most organizations don't last 100 years. The Rotary Club of El Paso's Christmas Children's Party has served Head Start children through world wars, economic depressions, pandemics, and dramatic social change.
Events like Winefest are how that longevity happens—creating renewable funding sources that allow century-old commitments to continue for future generations.
To learn more about El Paso Winefest or the Rotary Club of El Paso's programs, contact publicity@rotaryelpaso.org or visit rotary5520.org.